When the message we heard, from a missionary to China, comes to mind, I still have to chuckle at the irony of it. This missionary had spent time working among university students. One day, as he walked along, talking with one of them, the student blurted out "You are the best communist I've ever met!" The missionary was startled. He asked the young man to explain what he meant.

The student compared the missionary to authorities in his own country and said that what the leaders told the people to do, they didn't do themselves. But, here was this foreigner, who left his country to go around the world to help people in a strange land.

The difference stunned and impressed this student. Only someone with such a heart of compassion, as this missionary, could live up to the Communist mandate of serving others.

Recently, our morning scripture reading prompted a similar idea. I told my husband I wondered if that is why political leaders around the world can be so hateful toward Christians. Too many so-called public servants are not in it to serve but for power to lord control over the masses. Then, along comes a Christian, and the striking difference shows up the politician for what he is.

Of course, we learn from history that even Christians don't always get it right. Hudson Taylor, and others, encountered missionaries that seemed more concerned to spread proper European culture ahead of proclaiming the Good News. And, they also tried to hinder the work of those who, like Taylor, became "all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." (1 Corinthians 9:22)

We certainly have it on good authority that someone seeking to be the top dog is barking up the wrong tree. Jesus said, "If any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." Thinking that over, who would be the number one candidate for being last of all and servant of all? That can be tough to contemplate: Jesus as servant of all, certainly, but last of all? Bringing up the rear?

Think about it. The Lord of all the universe has our back!

For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth--as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"--yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. - 1 Corinthians 8:5-6